The Latest: Scottish leader delays second independence vote

LONDON – The Latest on Scotland's relationship with Britain amid the country's departure from the European Union (all times local):

2:40 p.m.

Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon has delayed legislation that would have sought a second independence referendum.

Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh that after careful reflection she is putting plans for an independence vote on hold, and will instead focus attention on influencing the Brexit outcome so it will be favorable to Scots.

Sturgeon said in March that a second vote on whether Scotland should break away from the rest of the United Kingdom should be held between late 2018 and early 2019 to give Scots an alternative to Brexit.

While Britain as a whole voted last June to leave the European Union, in Scotland the vote was 62-38 percent to remain.

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1:05 p.m.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is set to outline her position on holding a second independence referendum at the Scottish Parliament later Tuesday.

Sturgeon said in March that a second vote on whether Scotland should break away from the rest of the United Kingdom should be held between late 2018 and early 2019 to give Scots an alternative to Brexit. The majority of Scots had backed staying in the European Union in last year's EU referendum.

But Sturgeon has had to reconsider because her Scottish National Party lost 21 of its 54 seats in the national Parliament in the general election on June 8.

Reports have suggested that she will put her demand for a second independence referendum on hold to focus on backing a softer approach to Brexit.